Automatic battery stacker

Abstract

Apparatus for automatically stacking battery plates and separators is disclosed. Battery plates and separators elements are alternately and automatically combined on a conveyor belt to form sandwiches wherein a plurality of such sandwiches are later assembled for use in battery cells. Prior to combining the elements, the plates and separators are arranged in respective chutes for access by pivotably mounted vacuum pickup heads, which cycle between the chutes and the conveyor belt. The vacuum pickup heads capture the topmost elements in the chutes irrespective of the height at which the plates and separators may be stacked therein. In order to access the elements within the chutes, a jet sensor is provided with the pickup head that acts as a proximity detector. When vacuum is not being utilized for pickup purposes, it is utilized in an environmental mode where it is used to remove lead dust and particles around the stacking area.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of selecting a topmost element from a plurality of elements by an accessing means which may be extended or retracted from said topmost element comprising the steps of: (a) extending said accessing means in a direction of said topmost element of said plurality of elements,   (b) applying a negative pressure to said accessing means so that it is drawn therethrough,   (c) simultaneously applying a positive pressure to said accessing means that is emitted therethrough,   (d) said topmost element being captured by the accessing means when in proximity thereto by said negative pressure and further emission of said positive pressure from said accessing means being blocked by said capture, thereby initiating retraction of said accessing means away from said plurality of elements.   
     
     
       2. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising the step of, stacking said plurality of elements at an angle with respect to a vertical reference.   
     
     
       3. A method in accordance with claim 2 further comprising: rotating said accessing means through an angle to bring it into alignment with said angularly arranged plurality of elements during said capture step.   
     
     
       4. A method in accordance with claim 3 further comprising: (a) further rotating said accessing means to a vertical position over a moveable surface after capturing said topmost element, and   (b) depositing said topmost element upon said moveable surface by removing said negative pressure from said accessing means.   
     
     
       5. A method in accordance with claim 4 further comprising: indexing said moving surface to an adjacent position under a second accessing means after depositing said topmost element upon said moving surface.   
     
     
       6. A method in accordance with claim 5 further comprising: repeating said rotating step with said second accessing means such that said last mentioned means is angularly positioned over a topmost member of a plurality of member different from said first mentioned plurality of members.   
     
     
       7. A method in accordance with claim 6 further comprising: (a) capturing a topmost element by said second accessing means from the plurality of different members,   (b) rotating said second accessing means to a vertical position over said moveable surface, and   (c) depositing said topmost member upon said previously deposited member on said moveable surface.   
     
     
       8. A method in accordance with claim 7 further comprising: repeating the steps of rotating, capturing, depositing, indexing until a sandwich of alternating member is formed.   
     
     
       9. A method in accordance with claim 8 wherein: retraction of said accessing means is initiated after the position pressures applied to each of said accessing means are simultaneously blocked.   
     
     
       10. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein: said accessing means is normally biased into said retracted position.   
     
     
       11. A method for selecting a topmost element from a plurality of elements in a stack by means of an attaching device having a central opening therein comprising the steps of: (a) drawing a vacuum through said central opening of said attaching device, which includes a flexible ring surrounding said central opening, and a sensor member suspended below an imaginary plane formed through said flexible ring;   (b) simultaneously applying an air jet downwardly upon said sensor member to maintain said member below said imaginary plane,   (c) whereby when said attaching device is in the vicinity of the topmost element of said stack, said topmost element is attracted upwardly by said vacuum drawn through said central opening and against said suspended member to block said air jet, an   (d) withdrawing said attachment device away from said plurality of member in said stack after topmost member has been captured.   
     
     
       12. The method of air jet sensing in accordance with claim 11 including the steps of: (a) rotating said attaching device through an angle with respect to a vertical reference,   (b) whereby the capture of said topmost member to said attaching device occurs at an angle with respect to the vertical reference.   
     
     
       13. The method in accordance with claim 12 including the steps of: (a) rotating said attaching device back to the vertical reference, and   (b) terminating said vacuum through said central opening such that said topmost member if separated from said attaching device.